RNC Hispanic Outreach Director Becomes A Democrat

The man who was in charge of Hispanic outreach for the Republican National Committee in Florida has become a Democrat:

The Republican National Committee’s former Hispanic outreach director in Florida has become a Democrat, citing the Republican party’s “intolerance” and a general frustration with the party’s attitude toward immigration

“I have wondered before about the seemingly harsh undertones about immigrants and others,” he said. “Look no further; a well-known organization recently confirms the intolerance of that which seems different or strange to them.”

Without naming him, Pantoja alluded to Jason Richwine, the co-author of a Heritage Foundation report on the costs of immigration reform. Richwine resigned from the think tank last week amid revelations about his past, including that he wrote in his dissertation that “no one knows whether Hispanics will ever reach IQ parity with whites, but the prediction that new Hispanic immigrants will have low-IQ children and grandchildren is difficult to argue against.”

Conservatives including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) pushed back hard against the Heritage study. When pressed about why he would leave a party that includes prominent pro-immigration voices, Pantoja said in an e-mail to Post Politics that such support is not being given its due.

“Those voices and stances are not being well taken,” he said. “Studies like the recent one behind the immigration debate are part of that culture of intolerance. Everyone has to make their own decision and I wouldn’t consider they would change over this necessarily. Fortunately, I feel like I am in a private and personal position where I can do that.”

One wonders if something like this will be enough to finally wake the GOP up and see the problem they have with Hispanic voters.

About Doug MataconisDoug holds a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May, 2010 and also writes at Below The Beltway.
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One wonders if something like this will be enough to finally wake the GOP up and see the problem they have with Hispanic voters.

The problem, as with Gay Marriage, is that this is a wedge issue that is coming back to bite Republicans in the ass. And because of that, it threatens the current Republican Coalition.

Now, when a party is in power (see Democrats during the Civil Rights era) it’s easier to tackle a wedge issue. Civil Rights might have cost Dem’s the South, but they were able to maintain federal power for quite some time.

The problems Republicans face is what happens to the party — currently out of power for all intents and purposes — if it splits. The Tea Party has already weakened the traditional conduits of power (see Bohner’s issues with keeping his majority united).

So while all the “smart folks” see the future problems being created by current positions — especially among the more extreme and loud voices of the party — there is no easy solution for changing direction.

One wonders if something like this will be enough to finally wake the GOP up and see the problem they have with Hispanic voters.

Not in the least. The immediate, personal response will be to call Pantoja a RINO and several bloggers and/or talk show hosts will start asking all kinds of questions and making nasty insinuations about his personal life, his family and his friends.

The larger strategy will be to talk about how brainwashed Hispanics are and to randomly point out racist Democrats through time.

@C. Clavin: Well, that’s the defining question, isn’t it? Which do they value more – their bigotry or relevance? Even Republican strongholds are starting to at least grudgingly accept same-sex marriage… will they ever accept brown-skinned people?

I don’t know that they do know their problems, legion. One can convince oneself of just about anything, especially if facing reality means that you have to give up some core beliefs (like minorities being government moochers). I think they believe they have the TRUTH™ and they just have to scream it more loudly and then Hispanics will see the error of their ways.

What took him so long? It’s been a clear as water from day one where Republicans stand on Latinos and gays! Wonder when those stupid Log Cabin Republicans will wake up? How can anyone stand being in a party where they know in their heart of hearts they are not wanted.

Never understood how any minority member, woman or GLBT could vote GOP. These groups now get it and in voting for their best interests they go DEMs. Glad for them all and our country. The GOP and TP mostly comprise racist whites and bigots who would like to see race relations revert to what it was like 50 years ago. Our country is moving forward and leaving these losers behind.